Albany County, New York
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Albany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, generally located in the vicinity of Albany, New York, the capital of New York State. Albany is also the county seat of Albany County. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England. As of 2000, the population is 294,565.
For other places with this name see Albany.
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History
Albany County was one of the original twelve counties created by New York State in 1683. At that time it included all of the present State of Vermont, all of New York State north of the counties of Dutchess and Ulster, and theoretically stretched west to the Pacific Ocean.
On July 3, 1766, Cumberland County was created from a part of Albany County now in Vermont, followed on March 16, 1770 by Gloucester County, also now in Vermont.
Then, on March 12, 1772, Albany County was divided into the counties of Albany, Tryon (now Montgomery), and Charlotte (now Washington). From 1772 to 1786 Albany County included, besides the present territory of Albany County, all of the present Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties, parts of the present Greene and Washington Counties, and a piece of what is now southwestern Vermont.
In 1786, Columbia County was split off from Albany County.
In 1791, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties were split off from Albany County. Also the Town of Cambridge was transferred to Washington County.
In 1795, Schoharie County was created from parts of Albany and Otsego Counties.
In 1800, Greene County was created from parts of Albany and Ulster Counties.
In 1809, Schenectady County was split off from Albany County.
Geography
Albany County is in the east central part of New York State, extending southward and westward from the point where the Mohawk River joins the Hudson. Its eastern boundary is the Hudson River; a portion of its northern boundary is the Mohawk River.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,381 km² (533 mi²). 1,356 km² (523 mi²) of it is land and 25 km² (10 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.83% water.
The terrain of the county ranges from flat near the Hudson and Mohawks to high and hilly to the southwest, where the Catskills begin. The highest point is one of several summits near Henry Hill at approximately 2,160 feet (658 m) above sea level; the lowest point is slightly above sea level along the Hudson.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 294,565 people, 120,512 households, and 70,981 families residing in the county. The population density is 217/km² (563/mi²). There are 129,972 housing units at an average density of 96/km² (248/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 83.19% White, 11.08% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.75% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.05% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. 3.08% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 120,512 households out of which 27.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.20% are married couples living together, 12.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.10% are non-families. 33.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.30% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.99.
In the county the population is spread out with 22.60% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $42,935, and the median income for a family is $56,724. Males have a median income of $39,838 versus $30,127 for females. The per capita income for the county is $23,345. 10.60% of the population and 7.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.90% of those under the age of 18 and 7.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities, Towns, Villages, and other locations
- Albany (city)
- Altamont (village)
- Berne (town)
- Bethlehem (town)
- Coeymans (town)
- Cohoes (city)
- Colonie (village)
- Colonie (town)
- Delmar
- Green Island (town)
- Guilderland (town)
- Knox (town)
- Medusa
- Menands (village)
- New Scotland (town)
- Preston-Potter Hollow
- Ravena (village)
- Rensselaerville (town)
- Voorheesville (village)
- Watervliet (city)
- Westerlo (town)
- Westmere
External links
- Albany County official website (http://www.albanycounty.com/)
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